Must-See Movie

I was flipping channels over the weekend and came across one of my favorite movies: Sergeant York. If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a favor and rent it. Gary Cooper won his first academy award for his role as Sergeant York. The movie is based on the true story of Alvin C. York.

York was a poor farmer in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee. He was a rabble-rouser, known for drinking, gambling, cussing and fighting. His best friend died in a bar fight, which eventually led to York's conversion to Christianity.

A few years later, he was called up to serve in World War I. York struggled with the concept of war and killing. He believed the Bible commanded "Thou shalt not kill." But he also believed he should obey the laws of his country and do his duty. He spent two days and a night out on a mountain, praying about what to do. His diary records that God spoke to him on the mountain and told him to go and serve and promised him that he would come back safely.

York was shipped off to France. He was an excellent sharpshooter (having honed his skills in turkey shoots back home). He and his detachment were traveling through the Argonne Forest, when they came under attack. Three of his superiors were killed along with most of his detachment. He assumed command of the seven surviving men. He was under heavy fire from a German machine gun nest, when he single-handedly killed nearly 30 enemies and took over the nest, forcing 132 Germans to surrender to him and his seven soldiers.

He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor, along with the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was a poor, simple man. A devout Christian, he carried his New Testament to the battlefield and read it through five times while at war saying it was "my rock to cling to."

He was hailed as the greatest hero of WWI.